Montague John Druitt : Whitechapel Murderer ?

[Steelysama]

I have to say that I cannot really put a number to this. Druitt is a person who, I think, has as much chance of being the Ripper as any other random male with opportunity. The problem is that there is really nothing to seriously differentiate him from any other random male with opportunity. His suicide does not make him any more likely, really. And we have no real reason to suspect him other than that he was capable and could have been there.

[Roy Corduroy]

I gave him a 4, Halo.

Andy's research on Druitt is outstanding. And Jonathan Hainsworth recent Rip article about the "doctor" bit was rewarding.

But I have a hard time picturing him a killer. Whereas someone like Bury seem more the type. Druitt is the ultimate sleeper suspect. His "family suspected him" we hear second hand.

Roy

[albie]

I think he is the most likeliest from the known suspects. That's not the same as saying he is the killer. The only evidence is the letter suggesting he wa worried about becoming like his mother- a mentally ill patient, and the timing of his suicide.

But considering there is no evidence for anyone else being the ripper, it is all we have

[aspallek]

Let me clarify something before my friend SPE corrects me again as he has done numerous times. When I refer to "evidence" known to Macnaghten, I am not using that term in the technical, legal sense. I am using "evidence" in the general sense of information known to Macnaghten that persuaded him of Druitt's guilt. There was no legal evidence against Druitt or the other suspects mentioned by Macnaghten.

[aspallek]

In case anyone is wondering, I'm not going to vote in this poll because I haven't the foggiest whether Druitt was Jack the Ripper. I daresay I've done as much primary research on the man as anyone, perhaps more, over the past two years or so. This has helped me to understand the man and why he came to be a suspect. However, there is no way to evaluate the evidence known to Macnaghten. Therefore, there is no way to evaluate how likely it is that Druitt was Jack the Ripper.

I continue to maintain that he is a good suspect because Macnaghten knew something that was very convincing and Druitt did have the opportunity insofar as we know. His whereabouts cannot be placed away from London at the time of any canonical murder. Unfortunately, Macnaghten's sources and potential sources seem to be tied up in a tangled web of politicians, clergyman, and Druitt family members.

My person quest continues to be to understand Druitt, the man, and to peer into Macnaghten's potential sources as far as is possible. He can never be proved guilty. Perhaps one day an alibi will be found to exonerate him. Until then he remains a good suspect.

[halomanuk]

Not sure if i can get a Friday poll out tomorrow so i will set this one up today.

Following on from the Cutbush and Bury polls,here is a juicy one to sink your teeth into :

Another simple question,was Druitt the Whitechapel Murderer ?

1 = never
10 = definately....